Ruben Porras
Inducted in 1991
Led Bowie High School to 1949 Texas High School State Championship
Graduated from Bowie in 1951 after leading Bears to Bi-District playoffs in 1950
Turned down a scholarship to pitch for Idaho University and started professional career in 1951 with the El Paso Texans
In 1951, the Texans opened their exhibition season against the New York Yankees and fresh out of high school he pitched against Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Hank Bauer
In 1952 he injured his arm pitching in the Mexican Winter League
Following two years of military service with the US Army he tried to resume his career but his arm never recaptured its magic
He attributes his success to his legendary Coach Nemo Herrera at Bowie High School who, “not only taught him the fundamentals of baseball but how to win”.